Home / Document templates / Intellectual Property Policy
Intellectual Property Policy
Free IP policy template establishing who owns work created by employees and contractors.
- SSL-secured
- No signup required
- Free, always
This free intellectual property policy covers Purpose, Work-Related IP, Pre-Existing IP, Contractors, Disclosure Requirement with 2 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for individuals and small businesses handling a straightforward legal document themselves needing a clear, professional document without commissioning custom legal drafting for a routine situation. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Intellectual Property Policy
Company: [Company Name] · Effective Date: [Date]
Purpose
This policy clarifies ownership of intellectual property created by employees and contractors in connection with their work for [Company Name].
Work-Related IP
Any invention, code, design, written work, or other IP created by an employee within the scope of their employment, using Company resources, or related to Company's business, belongs to [Company Name].
Pre-Existing IP
IP an employee owned before joining, or created entirely outside the scope of their role using no Company resources, remains the employee's own property — employees should disclose any pre-existing IP they plan to use in their work.
Contractors
All contractors sign a separate IP assignment agreement as part of their engagement, confirming Company ownership of work product created for Company.
Disclosure Requirement
Employees must promptly disclose any invention or creative work related to Company's business, so ownership can be properly documented.
Use of Third-Party IP
Employees may not use copyrighted material, patented technology, or trade secrets belonging to others without proper authorization.
Adopted by: ______________________ Date: ____________ Acknowledged by employee: ______________________ Date: ____________
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. "Work for hire" and employee-invention assignment rules vary by state/country (a few US states, like California, specifically protect certain employee inventions made entirely on personal time/resources) — confirm this policy is enforceable in your jurisdiction.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 6 standard sections: Purpose, Work-Related IP, Pre-Existing IP, Contractors, Disclosure Requirement, Use of Third-Party IP
- 2 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Before involving a lawyer
A solid starting draft to review with counsel, or to use directly for a low-stakes situation.
FAQ
Is this intellectual property policy template really free?
Yes, completely free — view, edit, and download this intellectual property policy as a PDF without creating an account.
What does this intellectual property policy cover?
This legal template includes Purpose, Work-Related IP, Pre-Existing IP, Contractors. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. Legal documents are exactly where a generic template is most likely to miss something that matters — the right structure, required disclosures, and even which clauses are enforceable all vary by state and situation. Use this as a starting point for a conversation with a licensed attorney, not a substitute for one.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes — edit directly on the page, adjust any section or clause, and re-fill the 2 placeholder fields to match your situation before downloading a PDF. It's a starting structure, not a rigid script.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free legal and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
More free document templates
- Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
- Demand Letter for Unpaid Invoice
- General Power of Attorney
- One-Way (Unilateral) NDA
- Corporate Bylaws
Five products, one platform
Why use this instead of a generic template
Security
Served over SSL from Cloudflare's edge network — no ad trackers, no third-party scripts on template pages.
Legality
Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.
Privacy
No account or signup needed to copy a template — nothing you type here is stored unless you choose to sign up.
Speed
Copy the subject and body directly — no form to fill in, no export step, no waiting on a download link.
Mobile-friendly
Every template page works the same on a phone as a desktop — copy on the go, no app required.
API available
Building your own tool? docstoc's API covers invoices, reminders, and templates directly.